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IP technology will drive innovation

Cincinnati
1:03 a.m. EDT June 14, 2014

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Deborah Sampsel, chief officer for innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Cincinnati's College of Nursing, speaks with Maple Knoll Communities' Vice President of Operations Tim McGowan through a Remote Presence Telehealth Robot, or Flo-Bot for short. They're replicating what a scene would look like if a nursing student or assistant were on site with a patient while having a specialist coach them through the steps of how to check on someone in need.(Photo: The Enquirer/Madison Schmidt)Buy Photo

Lisa Bernard-Kuhn's article "The doctor will see you now – virtually" (June 7) provided a good glimpse into the kind of services and processes we continue to see as telemedicine becomes more commonplace in our every day lives. This technological leap is made possible through Internet Protocol or IP networks that enable information to be shared via phones, computers, tablets, and TVs.

The impact of IP technologies is seen in more than just telemedicine. Distance learning, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, home management, machine to machine apps, and business processes in many other industries are benefiting by IP networks. Because of the growing demand AT&T has invested more than $1.6 billion in our wireless and wireline networks in Ohio in the past three years. While good progress has been made, bringing IP-based services to more businesses and consumers faster requires a nationwide "IP Transition" of our country's existing telephone networks and facilities. Such a transition will maximize the benefits of IP and drive innovation, boost job growth, and foster economic development.